The Washington Examiner’s Salena Zito contended that the Democratic Party’s messaging is pushing voters away, contributing to the party’s “subtraction” in support.
Zito’s assessment comes as prominent Democratic lawmakers have been focusing on topics like the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was deported to El Salvador and since confirmed to be an active member of the MS-13 gang. Zito explained that it is “interesting” how those with “the loudest voice” in the Democratic Party are “championing” people like Garcia, a move that runs counter to opinions of those people she has talked to in her home state of Pennsylvania who find this “cringeworthy.”
“In American politics, it’s always about addition, not subtraction,” Zito explained on Fox News’s The Will Cain Show. “These maneuvers are subtracting people away from you. Now, they might not vote Republican, they just won’t vote at all! And you know, the messaging for the Democratic Party is a big challenge.”
Additionally, Zito contended that Democratic supporters are turning people like Garcia and Luigi Mangione, the man charged with killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, into “anti-hero heroes,” calling the need to rid the party of those who support violence as its “biggest challenge.”
As an example, Zito cited how some Democrats in the 1960s championed Charles Manson, a criminal and cult leader, which contributed to the party to losing several presidential elections. She further noted how Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA) had become the latest victim of political violence.
SHED NO TEARS FOR LUIGI MANGIONE
Zito also contended that David Hogg, the Vice Chair of the Democratic Party, is seeking to primary Democratic lawmakers within swing districts, which is adding to the party’s subtraction. She explained that in swing districts, parties need to have someone who is more moderate in their views rather than a “further Left candidate.”
On Tuesday, the Washington Examiner’s Joe Concha called Mangione a “coward” and argued the killing of Thompson was not a demonstration of free speech. Concha also greatly criticized CNN for airing a segment featuring journalist Taylor Lorenz light-heartedly discussing Mangione.